Sven Spichiger

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has wrapped up its annual survey of pests that could threaten farms, gardens, parks and forests across the state.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is gearing up for another season of pest hunting.  Each year, WSDA surveys for over 130 insects, weeds and pathogens.  And WSDA points out while some of these pests, such as spongy moth, have been found in the state, most of these pests have not yet been found in Washington but could threaten agriculture or the environment should they establish here.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday the “murder hornet” has been eradicated from the Evergreen State.   “We’re pleased to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet in Washington state,” Derek Sandison, WSDA director, said. “I’m incredibly proud of our team...

For the first time since being detected in the northwest corner of the state, the Washington state Department of Agriculture did not trap or confirm any sightings of the Northern Giant Hornet, formerly known as the Asian Giant.  WSDA noted while this is an encouraging step, the hornet is not yet considered eradicated.  Federal...

The Washington state Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday plans to set about 1,000 traps this year in their quest to wipe out the Asian giant hornet. Those traps will be set in Whatcom County, where the invasive pest was first detected in 2019 ...

In early June, the Washington Department of Agriculture announced that the first Asian giant hornet of 2021 was discovered dead in Snohomish County. Managing Entomologist Sven Spichiger noted that the male insect was significantly different in its coloration as compared to specimens collected in 2019 and 2020 ...

Entomologists from the Washington State Department of Agriculture as well as the USDA have confirmed the first report of an Asian giant hornet for 2021. According to the WSDA the “murder hornet” was found in Snohomish County and appears to be unrelated to the 2019-2020 Asian giant hornet introductions in Canada and Whatcom County. Accordi ...

Photo: WSDA The Washington state Department of Agriculture is learning more and more about the Asian Giant hornet nest discovered near Blaine. The nest was just over eight feet high in the tree and, once opened, was found to be about 14" long and 8"-9" wide ...